I think this is where it would be a good idea to have input from a dentist. If the teeth are still stable and not loose..probably would still work just fine.deerslayer wrote:my only concern is although i am only missing one upper tooth, i do have an extreme receding gums from 30 years of chewing tobacco ?
If it were me I would make an appointment with the dentist and make sure I had the mask and the mouth guard for that appointment and take it with me to the dentist so he could see it and how it fits....and advice as to if it would present a problem.
If he says not a good idea then use the free return insurance that comes with the purchase and send it back.
I have had several people ask me about crowns...this is one of the reasons that the Tap Pap makers suggest a visit with a dentist in the past year. Loose crowns could be a problem and easily spotted on a routine exam.
I have a bunch of crowns on my upper teeth...especially the front 4 upper teeth. I probably have more crowns on my uppers than natural teeth. They are all nice and solidly cemented in place. The mouth guard hasn't been a problem but I could see it being a problem if the crown is loose. If one is loose...it needs to be fixed anyway. I got to have a root canal on one of mine on the bottom back molar because I didn't catch it in time. This was a couple of years ago...just an old crown (as in 30 years old) that finally got tired.
My 4 upper front teeth crowns were courtesy of an old injury when I was a kid that damaged them and caused discoloration to 3 of them...had to do the 4th to match color so they look pretty.
So the Tap Pap can safely be used by people with crowns...just make sure (by a visit to the dentist) that they aren't loose or needing repair.
The reason I mentioned the sucking thing. Seems like we cpap users tend to try to do everything really well and that includes when we are told to suck for the fit...we don't do it half way. I know I didn't that first time. I did some serious sucking and got my first fit way too tight. It takes only a little gentle sucking to get the mouth guard molded to the teeth. It does not have to be skin tight to be stable.